BLOOD is thicker than water, they say. And it holds true for Miyuki RomaquinTacay who was lured to play karate as a sport as she grew up in a family who lives and breathes karate.
Yuki,16, a High School graduat at the University of the Immaculate Conception, recalled, "Mulapotalagapagkabata, nasa karate naako. My family runs a karate business. My father was the founder of our karate club. All members of our family are karatekas. I learned the sport when I was five years old."
She is the middle among five children of the late Ricardo Tacay and businesswoman Mila Romaquin. Her eldest brother Rexor is a member of the national team.
Yuki said, "My father was the one who encouraged me to play karate just like the rest of our family."
The five-foot-five ace first competed in a tournament held at Victoria Plaza when she was seven years old then she first joined the PKF 24th National Karatedo Championship in Dumaguete City in 2011 where she salvaged two bronze medals.
Since then she has competed in several local and regional tournaments.
Just recently, Yuki captured a gold medal in the 2014 Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission (POC-PSC) National Games held at the Philsports Arena. She outclassed Keshia Ruth Labiaga of Cebu City in their junior female individual kumite 15-17 years old -59 kgs. finals showdown.
"At first I was surprised kasipo first time ko pa langmaglarosa PNG eh nanalonaakong gold. I just focused on what techniques I needed to execute and how to attack my opponent," Yuki said in a phone interview.
She went on saying, "Nakaka-excite na may dalangkaba. Syempre nape-pressure rinkonti at that time kasi I don't know how to meet their expectations. KasisiKuyaRexorisang RP team member tapos former RP team members din sina Papa at Kuya Bern. Kaya I really feel blessed and grateful the moment I won the gold medal."
Yuki has mastered the disciple that karate has taught her over the years. She balanced her academics and her training at the same time shares her expertise in teaching young kids the ropes of the sport as well.
She dreams of competing for the country internationally as a national athlete. "Pangarapkongmakapaglarosaibangbansa atmagingkilalaparamaging proud iyongpamilyakosa akin lalonasi Papa."
Yuki, no doubt, was born to be a karateka and a champion.